The province has released details about a learning plan for schools to follow over the next year which includes resuming standardized testing and continued virtual learning opportunities.
On Thursday, Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced funding for the 2022-2023 school year, outlined in the Ontario government's Learning Recovery Action Plan. The investments included in the plan are aimed at supporting students as they recover from potential learning impacts that may have affected them as a result of the pandemic.
"We know this pandemic has led to significant disruption at home and abroad for students," Lecce said. "For many students it has left them struggling with mental health challenges and with learning loss."
Lecce said Ontario will invest nearly $26.6 billion across the education sector next year, which he claims is an increase of $683 million, or 2.7 percent year-over-year. The province is also putting $175 million toward expanding tutoring programs, $25 million to reading intervention programs, $15 million to summer learning programs, and $10 million for mental healths supports.
Additionally, Ontario said it will resume Grades 3 and 6 EQAO assessments this spring after a two year hiatus over the pandemic. The ministry will also require school boards to provide parents the option for remote learning again this fall.
"There's nothing more important to the mental, physical and social emotional health of a child than to be in school with their peers, with their friends, in front of our educators," Lecce said. "But at the end of day, we appreciate that it is a choice parents will make and students will make the best decision for themselves."
Also included in the plan were several steps to modernize education including, revising the curriculum so that it is aligned with labour demands, launching entrepreneurship pilot programs and expanding dual credit programs for Indigenous students.
The province added it will continue to explore ways to increase First Nation, Metis, and Inuit educators in the publicly funded education system, including alternative entry pathways for Indigenous Language teachers.